NBC/WSJ poll: Public wants compromise to avoid fiscal cliff — Fiscal cliff talks have stalled as ‘serious differences’ remain between both parties - and according to the latest NBC/WSJ poll the public wants an agreement, soon. Although both sides are still discussing ways to avoid the fiscal cliff …

Fixing the tax code at the cliff's edge — If you have worked hard for five decades, made pots of money and now want to squander it all in Las Vegas on wine, women and baccarat, go ahead. If, however, you harbor the antisocial desire — stigmatized as such by America's judgmental tax code …

Joe Lieberman's sad send-off — It was a lonely farewell for Joe Lieberman. — When the senior senator from Connecticut stood to give his parting address Wednesday afternoon, just one of his colleagues, Delaware Democrat Tom Carper, was with him on the Senate floor.

The Note: Chris Christie, Born to Run — THE NOTE If there's one takeaway from Barbara Walters' Chris Christie interview last night it was this: the man is setting up to run for president in 2016. — The buzziest example, of course, was his pushback against Walters' question as to whether he was “too heavy” to be president.

‘The a—hole factor’ — Back-bench freshmen Justin Amash, Tim Huelskamp and David Schweikert are gaining martyr status among conservative activists after they were “purged” from House committees for what they say is a matter of sticking to their principles on tough votes.

ELECTION OVER, ADMINISTRATION UNLEASHES NEW RULES — WASHINGTON (AP) — While the “fiscal cliff” of looming tax increases and spending cuts dominates political conversation in Washington, some Republicans and business groups see signs of a “regulatory cliff” that they say could be just as damaging to the economy.

U.S. Terrorism Agency to Tap a Vast Database of Citizens — Top U.S. intelligence officials gathered in the White House Situation Room in March to debate a controversial proposal. Counterterrorism officials wanted to create a government dragnet, sweeping up millions of records about U.S. citizens—even people suspected of no crime.

Where big GOP bucks could matter — Mitt Romney and the GOP lost, but it wasn't for lack of money. They spent a lot; they just didn't get enough bang for the buck. — Billionaire Sheldon Adelson alone donated $150 million. But Romney lost anyway, especially among unmarried women.

Aetna CEO Sees Obama Health Law Doubling Some Premiums — Health insurance premiums may as much as double for some small businesses and individual buyers in the U.S. when the Affordable Care Act's major provisions start in 2014, Aetna Inc. (AET)'s chief executive officer said.

The Conservative Case for Right-to-Work Laws — The enactment of a so-called right- to-work law by the state of Michigan this week is indeed, as the news media have described it, a blow against the union movement. Michigan, of all places. But it is also a blow against fairness and common sense.

The Strange Republican Shift on Taxes — There's been an odd change in Republican rhetoric in the last few weeks about taxes. As we all know, for a couple of decades now, particularly since George H.W. Bush went back on his “Read my lips” promise and agreed to a tax increase to bring down the deficit …

Lost Decade Watch — Along with its new policy pronouncement, the Fed released its economic projections (pdf). What struck me is that the Fed expects the unemployment rate to be well above its long-run level even in the fourth quarter of 2015, which is as far as its projections go.

Senator Wants Answers On White House Pot Plan — The Senate is going to pot. — According to Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), the Judiciary Committee is planning a hearing early next year to examine federal policy towards two states that legalized marijuana in November.

Blue Shield of California seeks rate hikes up to 20% — In filings with state regulators, Blue Shield is seeking an average rate increase of 12% for more than 300,000 customers. Consumer advocates say the firm should use its reserves to hold down rates. — Health insurer Blue Shield …

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